True Left

“We have no plans to invade” - that was the message from Russia's foreign minister after talks with the US about Russian intentions in Ukraine. His American counterpart said their discussions in Geneva had been "frank and substantive" - but also warned of "massive consequences" if Moscow were to attack Ukraine.

Russia has amassed 100,000 troops near its borders with Ukraine. It's led to grave international concern - and to the western alliance, Nato, boosting its military presence in eastern Europe. President Putin has demanded that Ukraine be stopped from ever joining Nato. 
 
During the Cold War the Soviet Union controlled most of eastern Europe,  with the NATO alliance, which includes the US and the UK, ranged against it.
 
But with the collapse of the Soviet Union,  Russia lost control of those eastern European countries,  and since then NATO has expanded eastwards, to Russia's borders.   

Reeta Chakrabarti presents BBC News at Ten reporting by James Landale in Geneva and Steve Rosenberg in Moscow.